The Book Pheasant Tail Simplicity from Patagonia has sparked renewed interest in tying soft hackle flies. These age-old flies are simple to tie and remain very effective. Pick up a copy of Pheasant Tail Simplicity to get started if you haven't already. If you have already read it and are looking for additional books, check out the books by Dave Hughes and Allen McGee.
Pheasant Tail Simplicity by Yvon Chouinard, Craig Mathews, and Mauro Mazzo
Tying & Fishing Soft Hackle Nymphs by Allen McGee
Fly Fishing Soft Hackles: Nymphs, Emergers, and Dry Flies by Allen McGee
To get started tying your own, here are a few flies to begin with. Luckily, the materials for tying soft hackles are readily available, and you may already own many of them.
One note about soft hackle materials, specifically the hackle, Hungarian partridge feathers, when bagged loosely, are not as high quality as those found on a select or premium skin. For any tier that is serious about tying soft hackles, a quality partridge skin is a worthwhile investment. Many of the oldest patterns use partridge as the hackle, such as the Partridge and Orange. Partridge is also widely used in the flies featured in Patagonia's Pheasant Tail Simplicity book.
For the simplest soft hackle patterns, like the old Partridge and Orange or Yellow, the only materials are tying silk, hare's mask dubbing, and the soft hackle. These are still incredibly effective flies. The closest to that template featured here is the starling-and-olive soft hackle. While it incorporates a wire rib and modern dubbing, it largely follows the traditional template.
Happy Tying!
Soft Hackled Patterns and Material Links
Great starting point- the classic pheasant tail with an added soft hackle. use a lighter or heavier wire hook depending on where you want to fish the fly in the water column.
Materials for the Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail / Flymph
Built on a classic template the Starling and Olive is a great soft hackle wherever there are Baetis mayflies or midges.
Starling and Olive Soft Hackle Materials
Another classic fly that works everywhere. Natural or dyed peacock works, but the dyed herl adds a bit of pop to this fly.
Peacock and Starling Materials
This is a pattern I forgot I had made a video on. Maybe not my best tying but this fly works! I had a memorable fall fishing this fly as a dropper behind a dry. Worked will into the cooler weather.
Wire Body Soft Hackle Materials
The tungsten spider is a great pattern when you want the movement of a soft hackle but need to get even deeper.
Tungsten Spider Fly Tying Materials
Hopefully, this post inspires tiers to tie up some soft hackles. It's a great way to fish and tie more simply. I'm going to restock my wet fly box this winter and be ready for the coming season. Thanks for reading! Reach out with any questions- dakotaflyangler@gmail.com.
Hans